welcome, I hope it helps. Newspapers of the period I find helpful. Just be aware of their policies to cancel. Also any ship, fort or person or etc who comes in contact with your vessels that might document it on the same side or against that might be in the area I would be looking into if I were you. If the ships were prizes that means the US treasury(which is absolutely absurd that happened but true) or possibly US Navy may have documents on it taking possession.

Good luck to you,

Bobby